The global market for depilatories was worth $4.69 billion last year and sales increased at a 7.6 percent average annual clip the past decade. The market is predicted to reach $5.6 billion by 2016.

About 55% of the world’s recorded kidnaps-for-ransom in 2004 were in Latin America. Last year, the region accounted for only a quarter of the incidents, and Asia and Africa made up over half. Ransoms average around $2 million.

The restaurant in the United States that is most cited on expense accounts is Starbucks, with bills averaging $7.54 (U.S.). Next most popular was McDonald’s ($6.73), followed by Subway ($11.83).

Las Vegas has the 4th highest homelessness rate and the highest home foreclosure rate of any big city in the U.S. Many of its estimated 12,000 homeless people have built makeshift shelters in the city’s 480 km of underground storm tunnels.

The Batmobile sold over the weekend for $4.2 million. The original 19-foot black, bubble-topped car used in the 1960s Batman TV show sold at auction in Arizona.

A species of South African dung beetle has been shown to use the Milky Way to navigate, making it the only known animal that turns to the galactic spray of stars across the night sky for direction.

75% of the world’s heads of state have a presence on Twitter. In terms of followers, President Obama is by far the most watched world leader on Twitter, with 25 million followers. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is #2 with 3.5 million followers